COSTA RICA + Plus

[bonniejoy03]

Hi M.....Thanks for thinking of me. We are going to El Silencio and Gaia in December. Really looking forward to the trip. Really wasn't too interested in going back to CR. (been there over 12 times.) Both properties look quite interesting. I was concerned that CR was getting too crowded for me but I think El Silencio isn't a big touristy area. Gaia in Manual Antonio will be touristy however, Gaia itself sound so relaxed and away from the hustle and bustle of the area....where to next for you?

[betsyv]

Bonnie, you will love El Silencio especially if you don't want tourists-think cows and hills! Very remote, quiet and relaxing. Actually hubby and I were almost bored at times, but then we said get off our butts and go for a walk. It was very different from past trips and almost forced us to relax, talk and just enjoy the scenery. We enjoyed our day excursion to the white water rafting but also liked just hiking around the property and in to town. I will say that March was quite cool at night so I can't imagine December. Just remember to light your hot tub 2-3 hours before you want to take a dip and to enjoy that fireplace!! We hope you enjoy!

[bonniejoy03]

sounds wonderful. can't wait to go.

[[email protected]]

when we went to Costa Rica, we flew into San Jose which we did not like, then flew local plane to the Liberia area and stayed at a little resort about 1 hour south of the Nicaragua border (can;t remember the name right now) we rented a car and drove all up and down the Pacific coast - many great national parks in the area and in many cases we were the only visitors - we went in October since we wanted to be there for turtle nesting season. Great fun driving to one of the parks with nesting turtles at midnight and then driving back to the hotel around 2am! Also did a day trip into Nicaragua - great place!
We do have to get back to CR since we have many other places to see in this beautiful country!

[travel2fun]

[QUOTE=omegaet;28582]bonniejoy03....did you receive the newsletter from Punta Islita Grupo regarding their new resortEl Silencio Lodge? Wondering if LL will be offering auction packages on this non-beach Costa Rican jungle retreat....perhaps a combo beach and jungle experiencewith Punta Islita?

http://www.elsilenciolodge.com/index.htm



Bajos del Toro, a tranquil Shangri-la hidden at the head of the valley of the Rio Toro,is a very damp and rainy valley located on the Caribbean side of Costa Rica, between the flanks of Pos Volcano to the east and the foothills of Viejo Volcano (2,122 meters) to the west. It is a region of clear mountain streams, waterfalls and pools, and grasslands and forests. The route is incredibly scenic and at time daunting, as the road weaves and clings precariously to the face of the cloud-shrouded mountains. Juan Castro Blanco National Park, one of Costa Rica's youngest national parks, was created in 1995 to protect the vital watershe on the slopes of Volcana Platanar (2,183 meters).


Nice article in the most recent issue of Departures Magazine about El Silencio. A little to get to, but the isolation is perfect for the experience.

[bonniejoy03]

Hi T....El Silencio has been offered for awhile on LL. We will be heading there in December. We will incorporate the cloud visit with a few nights on the beach at Gaia. Would have loved to stay at Punta Islita again but no auctions when I planned the trip. Without the auctions, the property is a little expensive. Are you looking at El Silencio?

[Mountie]

Hi T....El Silencio has been offered for awhile on LL. We will be heading there in December. We will incorporate the cloud visit with a few nights on the beach at Gaia. Would have loved to stay at Punta Islita again but no auctions when I planned the trip. Without the auctions, the property is a little expensive. Are you looking at El Silencio?

OK, bonniejoy03, where is that report on El Silencio?

Worth the long and expensive ride to sleep in the jungle?

[travel2fun]

OK, bonniejoy03, where is that report on El Silencio?

Worth the long and expensive ride to sleep in the jungle?

I'm sure bonniejoy03 is soaking up the warm weather at El Silencio while us norte americanos are being flash frozen.

[bonniejoy03]

Sorry...on phone with aa trying to find our bags!!

El Silencio and Gaia were both amazing. Not a long drive to El Silencio; only 1.5 hours on easy and scenic roads. What an absolutely amazing property. Great accommodations with working gas fireplaces. It was quite cold so we had the fireplace on alll the time. The weather was typical cloud forest weather; misty, chilly, and constantly changing. The lodge and surroundings reminded me of The Cliffs in Patagonia. I am so lucky to have had the opportunity to stay at this place. Our eco-concierge, Andrey was a wealth of knowledge.. The food was so perfect. Very natural and beautifully prepared. Most of the food was grown on the grounds. The vegetables and fruits were perfect. I really had a great time.....oh.......they found our bag....got to talk to the rep and tell them the contents (coffee and wine!).....will finish shortly....

[Mountie]

Sorry...on phone with aa trying to find our bags!!

El Silencio and Gaia were both amazing. Not a long drive to El Silencio; only 1.5 hours on easy and scenic roads. What an absolutely amazing property. Great accommodations with working gas fireplaces. It was quite cold so we had the fireplace on alll the time. The weather was typical cloud forest weather; misty, chilly, and constantly changing. The lodge and surroundings reminded me of The Cliffs in Patagonia. I am so lucky to have had the opportunity to stay at this place. Our eco-concierge, Andrey was a wealth of knowledge.. The food was so perfect. Very natural and beautifully prepared. Most of the food was grown on the grounds. The vegetables and fruits were perfect. I really had a great time.....oh.......they found our bag....got to talk to the rep and tell them the contents (coffee and wine!).....will finish shortly....

bonniejoy03, glad you located your bags. Did your econ-concierge tell you that propane gas is imported into CR?